Manchester United Banter Archive January 02 2019

02 Jan 2019 23:41:15
I didn't get to watch the game yet due to work. Another good win and three points. Well done. It was a nice pass from Sanchez to set Rashford free, nice calm finish too.
What were peoples thoughts on Sanchez performance when he came On?

03 Jan 2019 00:19:10
He looked sharp mike. Looks so much more menacing when we break at speed. Nice pass to set up rashford. Looked easy but he should good composure and vision. Martial was poor tonight but it’s great having options like Sanchez and Lukaku go come off give bench. They broke well at looked full of hunger and desire. Great to see.

03 Jan 2019 03:51:15
Thanks Park
It is good to have players like Rashford, martial, Lingard, Pogba, Sanchez and Lukaku when we play on the front foot like we are right now. A good group of forwards all capable of scoring goals. As the 14 for in the last 4 games shows. 3.5 goals a game will win you most games.
It wil” be interesting to see how Ole approaches the reading game now.

02 Jan 2019 22:56:20
My hope for this transfer window is that we sign a strong commanding CB Jones was lucky twice early on just always has a mistake in him Smalling same but probably better of the 2. Hopefully lindelof carries on as he's been doing he was immense tonight, Valencia is so bad positionally I don't know what he offers anymore young probably the better option there for the rest of the season.
But a clean sheet and a good run of results is all positive, plenty of good attacking options hopefully have a good half of the season.

02 Jan 2019 22:24:16
Great 3 points, even Pogba is working his socks off, great to see. Matic was immense as was Lindeloff tonight, and Valentia showed yet again his is no good in our team, constant side ways and backwards passing. Good to see both Lukaku and Sanchez working hard too. Spurs will be another level up again but we are growing in confidence each game. Really enjoy watching us again.

02 Jan 2019 12:57:17
Will we see Sanchez starting tonight and more importantly will we see an improved Sanchez, looking forward to seeing how he reacts.

02 Jan 2019 13:56:02
Why would you want to disrupt a winning team? I hope Ole plays with Lingard, Martial and Rashy up top, give lukaku and Sanchez 20 maybe 30 minutes.

02 Jan 2019 14:23:08
I'd replace Lingard in a heartbeat for Sanchez. I'm not a huge fan of Lingard, I think he flatters to deceive. He's done ok up until now but in the grand scheme of things he should be only a bit part player in a team with aspirations such as ours.

Sanchez has been woeful since he's joined but hopefully that's because of our slow ponderous build up play under Jose. I have a lot of sympathy for Alexis. He just seemed to be on a different wavelength to everyone else. How many times have you seem him close down from the front when no one else was? Now that the passes are one two touch and move, the midfielders joining the attack. Pressure on the ball from all areas and players getting into the box, I think this is tailor made for Sanchez to shine.

02 Jan 2019 14:32:10
Wow idk what to say, really. Have you ever played footy at a very good level? Its impossible to me to think OLE will disrupt the team for someone who up until now has been a disappointment so far and on top of that isn't 100% fit? I hope he starts the same team and bring Lukaku and Sanchez on the second half, maybe give Lukaku 30 minutes and Sanchez 20? That would seem to be more appropriate to me. But i do respect your opinion.

{Ed004's Note - Tbf reports are coming out that Sanchez has come back fit and raring to go. Lingard was pretty ineffective the other night so a rest might do him a world of good. Im hoping we see Sanchez, Rashford and Martial play as well. Jones in for Bailly and thats the only 2 changes we will hopefully see}

02 Jan 2019 14:54:09
Well as i said before i respect your opinions but even if he is fit i would still not play him from the start and if Ole is thinking about that i hope he plays him on the right wing, IF and i mean IF ole is thinking about that, i wouldn't disrupt a winning team, OlE did that the other day with the inclusion of Dalot and Fred and to me we didn't play at the same level with Herrera and sadly Young on the right, well even if he plays Sanchez we will beat Newcastle, its not arrogance its confidence. Something that i haven't felt since Sir Alex last season.

02 Jan 2019 15:05:29
What level of football have you played, were you think its normal to play the same 11 players in four games in the space of twelve days? Lingard has started the last 3. He was anonymous against Bournemouth. Sanchez by all accounts has trained really hard, even coming in on their days off to get back to fitness.

United are reportedly looking at another wide player. The end of Jesse Lingard as a starter in this team is imminent. If you can't see why fans would be excited to see Sanchez in this current team ahead of Lingard then there's no point in this discussion.

But you may have played football at a decent level which makes your point superior.

02 Jan 2019 15:44:37
An inform Sanchez is world class and is up there with the likes of Hazard, De bruyne etc, .

02 Jan 2019 16:19:44
I'm sorry but you worried about a 24,25 years old playing 4 games in 12 days, he should be able to handle that easily, Matic on the other hand. anyways. Happy new year! let's start the year with a win. See you guys in the chat.

02 Jan 2019 16:29:05
Very very harsh on Lingard who I think has been one of our stronger performers recently and is extremely good at finding space especially in away matches like tonight. I am not saying i wouldn't start Sanchez though as i think a fit and firing Sanchez in this team could take us to another level.

We have great options in attack, if we attack in number like we have recently we will cause any team problems, I have no idea what Jose was doing, but thankfully that is now in the past.

02 Jan 2019 16:29:26
We've found Jesse Lingard's account lads!

02 Jan 2019 16:36:30
Reman, Lingard is an average footballer who at the tender age of 26 has somehow fooled the footballing world into still thinking he's "young" and full of potential.

Sanchez is head and shoulders above Lingard. This shouldn't even be a debate. Ole has got the team humming and if Alexis can play anywhere near the standard we know he can, then our attacking line-up has just gone up another level.

02 Jan 2019 15:22:18
Ed004 - Where does Sanchez play? Pogba now operates as the attacking midfielder. No quite at 10 but certainly more advanced and has been making good runs into the box.

Rashford has been excellent upfront and Martial has done well from the left. With everyone fit I can only see Sanchez playing on the right however it's a position he doesn't like and hasn't played for a number of years. Whilst Lingard's final product can be frustrating his movement and energy is excellent and I actually think he's more effective away from home when teams play slightly higher and more expansive.

I tend to agree with Remanutd. I'd stick with the same team if everybody is fit with Jones coming in for the suspended Bailly. The team has been playing well, scoring goals and I think will benefit from some continuity. Whilst Martial on his day is brilliant I still worry about his attitude and application. I think he'll have to demonstrate some commitment and fight this evening and if he's found wanting then we have Sanchez on the bench chomping at the bit.

With Sanchez and Lukaku on the bench we have great options to change the game if needed. I wouldn't change a winning team just yet and I don't think Sanchez's form warrants a starting place in any case. I do concede however that he has proved himself to be a consistent world class performer over the years but we have younger players performing well in the positions he prefers to play and I'm not convinced he'd be any more effective than Lingard or even Mata from the right. It's nice to have some competition for places, it's keeps everyone honest especially in a winning team. Sanchez will have to seize his opportunity when it comes and remind us all of the player we know he can be in my opinion. I don't think we should fall into the trap of selecting players on reputation. With the team performing well Sanchez must be patient and demonstrate that he can be a team player and make an impact when needed. He couldn't have a better example to follow than Ole and the same applies to Lukaku as well. They can leave their ego's at the door as far as I'm concerned and must now do their talking on the pitch.

{Ed004's Note - I think Sanchez will be fine taking on the role Lingard has been. I cant remember which of the 3 games it was but Lingards average position was central alongside Rashford. During the game they took it in turns covering the right hand side. Martial provides the width on the left while Young provides the width on the right hand side. Sanchez in his last season with Arsenal and during pre season has played his best football centrally with players moving around him}

02 Jan 2019 15:30:26
I'm sorry i don't want an arguement, yea let's play Sanchez ahead of a 24, 25 years old that should be able to handle 4 games in 12 days easily, Matic on the other hand. but what do i know i'm just a fan, Happy new year and enjoy the game. i'm out see you guys in the chat.

02 Jan 2019 16:53:47
Ed004 - yeah fair point I suppose that could work I suppose Lingard has predominantly drifted in from the right with the full back providing the width!

02 Jan 2019 16:55:49
Reman, if you don't want an argument then don't talk down to someone with "wow idk really, what level have you played football at" nonsense.

GDS2 he's done alright but he's a squad player at best in my opinion but I see why fans might like him.

DLIB, all those positives you mentioned about Lingard, Sanchez does them all only better. His work rate off the ball is second to none. His link up play is better, finishing and crossing too.

Lingard adapted to the way Jose wanted to play better than Alexis. But right now, they way we are playing, movement, quick pace about the team. I'm looking forward to seeing Sanchez more than anyone. He's made for this set up.

02 Jan 2019 17:20:19
Rashford looks like he could do a job tonight on the right. Play Sanchez through the middle.

02 Jan 2019 17:30:21
Mumbles, when we are talking about talent and what a player has achieved then Sanchez is clearly ahead of Lingard. However, if we are judging them on what they have achieved in a United shirt then Lingard is head and shoulders above Sanchez.

I do think you underestimate Lingard, for me he should be one of the first names on the team sheet in a tough game, his work rate and intelligent movement make so much space for other players, he also has a knack of scoring in key games. For me he is an English version of Park Ji Sung, although I would say Lingard is more technically gifted than Park was while Park was probably a slightly tackler/ tracker.

I think Lingard should be rotated out of the line up tonight, but only because it would be his 4th game in 12 days.

It's important to pick players on merit and what they do for our club and not what they have achieved previously for other clubs. Otherwise the likes of Di Maria and Falcao would still be in our starting line up.

02 Jan 2019 17:38:01
Lingard 7/ 10 on form
Sanchez 9/ 10

different class.

02 Jan 2019 18:07:23
Shappy, I get that mate. If this was Joses team I would have Lingard in no questions asked. But the vibrant football we've seen on display the last three games suites Sanchez perfectly. Sanchez on an average day can eclipse Lingard on a good day.

Park would get into Joses team. He probably wouldn't get into Oles team. I'm not a fan of Lingard but I can see his value in the team. I just think everything is primed to finally get the best out of Sanchez.

02 Jan 2019 18:12:31
Ole has 6 forwards to choose from for 3 places. Jessie rash martial lukaku jessie and mata.
Mata sanchez and lukaku have not started yet the latter 2 because of injury and i'm surprised a little that mata has not played.
I also think that sanchez is going to do a lot better now that we attack in greater numbers.
I think either 1 of jessie or rash will be rested tonight. Its not that they can't play, of course they can. But if we have players in better shape then it makes sense to rotate. Every other set of forwards have been rotated at the big clubs.

02 Jan 2019 18:13:14
Shappy - I was going to make the same comparison to Park prior to threading your comment. Although not the most talented, they seem to make the players around them better whilst often turning up with important goals in big games. Fergie often overlooked more talented players for Park or Fletcher in big games due to the work rate and impact they had on players around them. Sanchez on the other hand seems to like to occupy similar areas to Pogba and they may suffocate one another rather than continent. However, after a hectic Christmas period I see this as a good opportunity to bring Sanchez in and see how he gets on under the new manager.

02 Jan 2019 17:03:51
Players like Lingard and Park never get the applaud they deserve, we will really know their worth when they are missing from the team.

Tireless Runs, Opening up spaces, Pressing higher up the pitch and many other things are also a part of football and not just scoring every game.

02 Jan 2019 17:14:05
Mumbles - I accept that pal Ed004 made a good point in that Lingard doesn't really play wide right and is given license to drift inside and get involved in the play. Sanchez will have to do a job defensively down that side with Herrera playing a more holding role and providing cover down the right for when Sanchez drifts inside and Young bombs forward. Sometimes subtle changes in position can either make or break the player and whilst in theory Sanchez should be able to adapt easily to that role I suppose we'll have to wait and see. I'm excited more than anyone by a fit and inform Sanchez but I wouldn't change a winning formula just yet. I fully accept your point and do agree that an inform Sanchez is an upgrade on Lingard. Let's hope Ole shares your vision and that Sanchez can return to form and embrace that role from the right.

02 Jan 2019 18:30:33
I'd like to see those 9/ 10 Sanchez games 😂.

02 Jan 2019 18:51:56
Sanchez has done nothing since coming to Old Trafford, he has been a huge disappointment. If he’s fit around raring to go then fair enough but Lingard has contributed twice as much as Sanchez both this year and last year. Southgate seems to like him as well as he keeps picking him so he must be doing something right.

02 Jan 2019 19:22:05
I'm sorry I asked now, I take it back.

02 Jan 2019 19:23:04
I think he will start Mata😎.

02 Jan 2019 19:30:05
This is a good debate between who should start. Lingard or Sanchez

The answer - MATA haha.

Both on the bench. have to love football.

02 Jan 2019 19:41:41
FZZ, in which game has Sanchez been a 9 out 10 for us? I must have missed that one.

Ken, Lingard is so good you named him twice, while missing off the anonymous Sanchez. Either that was an ironic accident or a wonderfully writing accurate post. Lol.

It will be interesting to see how Sanchez performs in an attacking set up, maybe we will see the best of him. Or maybe he is over the hill.

There is a logic to the argument that Sanchez plays his best football in the same spaces as Pogba. Can they adapt and work well together? It happens sometimes, other times we have the Gerrard/ Lampard type situation that England and all their managers couldn't solve.

I guess we will see which it is over the next few months.

Either way it's exciting to be looking forward to matches again and discussing something other than how badly our manager/ players/ board are performing.

02 Jan 2019 22:21:44
Never said for us Shappy.

Overall career wise Sanchez is miles better than Lingard simple as that.

02 Jan 2019 10:49:54
Hey there everyone. wishing everyone on this page a very happy and a prosperous new year (hoping this isn't their year though) .

Someone missed me the other day and called me out. I am the one who said Rashford would be lucky to be near Defoe and is just a glorified Welbeck. I stand by my opinion on him and will take much more than a couple of games against relegation fodder to prove he is more. We have seen this several times in the past from him, Liverpool last season (these 3 games were probably the next after that game) . So it took him a good year to replicate that performance, hardly world class. Januzaj springs to mind. Where is he by the way?

I agree he is talented but he needs to put that talent into use to be successful. I hope he does.

Happy new year!

02 Jan 2019 11:21:35
You sound like Mourinho Shan!

{Ed004's Note - In Rashfords defence, when has he ever gotten to play this many games in a row in his favoured position? The only extended period of time was in his breakout season. I would say comparing him to Welbeck is very harsh. Hes probably quicker, far better technically and strikes the ball far cleaner than Welbeck while being years younger than him. The only thing missing from Rashfords game is clinicalness and composure which will hopefully come from experience.}

02 Jan 2019 12:11:04
Rashford is rubbish. He's been involved in more goals than any other player this season but he's still rubbish.

02 Jan 2019 13:09:03
Called you out shan, sounds like we are going to have a dust up 😂

I couldn't remember who stated it. good on you, stand by it mate, hope you'll also be man enough to say you were wrong. Because he is showing a hell of a lot more than Danny welbeck ever did in a United shirt.

02 Jan 2019 13:32:48
It amazes me how two people can watch the same player and form completely polarised opinions.

Wellbeck and Januzaj? Football. Bloody hell.

02 Jan 2019 13:41:45
Absolutely Angelred. I will be more than happy to be proven wrong. I am hoping I am proved wrong by a Manchester United player. Always.

But for now, he isn't someone I would bet my life on to score a goal if my life depended on it.

Thanks DLIB, I will be glad if I am half as successful as he is.

02 Jan 2019 13:58:31
I called you out Shan. Is it fisticuffs or pistols at dawn?

Anyway congratulations for doubling down on the worst opinion of 2018, and already having the worst opinion of 2019, pretty sure it won’t be surpassed over the next 12 months.

02 Jan 2019 14:01:11
Some people are never happy and satisfied uh? We have been winning games by 2,3,4 goal difference, Rashford stretches down opponents defense with his speed and energy, he has been and integral part of the way Ole and co want to play, you want your striker to be the first one putting pressure on their keeper, defense. He has been very good and now with someone who used to be deadly in that aspect teaching him, He could improve massively. Negativity left the club already, time to start thinking positive, the good days are coming back, i can feel it.

02 Jan 2019 14:25:53
You are entitled to your opinion Shan, but I am with he majority on this and I hope the lad proves you wrong.
Why didn't you throw in Rossi and Macheda as well during the comparisons?

02 Jan 2019 16:09:14
Already did those comparisons last season, mbd. 😋😋

Reman, i am as happy as the next United fan with the current form but i am not getting carried away. You guys cherish Rashford, i don't (as of now) . Simple as that. I like a certain standard for a United striker, which Rashford isn't right now. He may well turn out to be and as i said, i am more than happy to be proven wrong. In my lifetime, i have seen Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, RVN, Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Chicharito, RvP and even Saha. All the above were natural strikers with an instinct/ eye for goal. All i am saying is that Rashford doesn't have that natural striker instinct and that isn't something you develop, it comes in naturally. So, my words were he isn't a good striker but could be a good player.

Danny, its going to be water pistols and balloons. Come on out.

02 Jan 2019 16:32:04
Like Manchester, Rashford is red.

Fair play for being stubborn on this and coming on to talk about it at literally the worst time. He stalled under Jose and I was worried about him, not anymore, the last few games he has been unplayable, something I never said about Welbeck.

02 Jan 2019 16:38:22
Ronaldo absolutely did not have a natural strikers instinct at Rashford's age. Not even close. He worked very hard on it but he wasn't the natural finisher like RVN or Yorke/ Cole.

02 Jan 2019 17:17:38
On his day Welbeck is unplayable. Mostly because he’s injured and can’t be played.

02 Jan 2019 22:12:14
And that’s another goa and another assist tonight. Ole has said Rashford is a much better way player than he was, he just needs more composure in front of goal.

02 Jan 2019 22:51:31
Brilliant Danny 😆😆.

03 Jan 2019 06:55:03
What else did i say Tony? The eye/ instinct for goal. Ole called it composure.